Micro–Computed Tomography Study of Filling Material Removal from Oval-shaped Canals by Using Rotary, Reciprocating, and Adaptive Motion Systems

• We report that adaptive motion with TFA system was efficient for filling material removal.
• TFA capacity of filling removal could be attributed to the kinematics combination.
• Filling material removal was associated with instrument design.

IntroductionThis study evaluated filling material removal from distal oval-shaped canals of mandibular molars with rotary, reciprocating, and adaptive motion systems by using micro–computed tomography.MethodsAfter cone-beam computed tomography scanning, 21 teeth were selected, prepared up to a size 40 file, root filled, and divided into 3 groups (n = 7) according to the filling material removal technique: group PTUR, ProTaper Universal Retreatment combined with ProTaper Universal F2, F3, F4, and F5 files; group RP, Reciproc R50 file; and group TFA: TF Adaptive 50.04 files. The specimens were scanned preoperatively and postoperatively to assess filling material removal by using micro–computed tomography imaging, and the percent volume of residual filling material was calculated.ResultsThe statistical analysis showed the lowest percent volume of residual filling material at the coronal third in all groups (P < .05). There was no significant difference among the systems in the coronal third (P > .05). In the middle third, group TFA (31.2 ± 10.1) showed lower volume of residual filling material than group RP (52.4 ± 14.1) (P < .05). In the apical third, groups TFA (44.8 ± 20.6) and PTUR (48.6 ± 16.8) presented a lower percent volume of filling material than group RP (70.6 ± 7.2) (P < .05), as confirmed by the qualitative analysis.ConclusionsThe use of the adaptive motion increased the amount of root filling removed in the middle and apical thirds compared with the reciprocating motion. However, no technique was able to completely remove the filling material from the canals.